Our View: Branstad right on need for alternatives to straw poll

7:35 PM,
Nov. 27, 2012

Written by

Press-Citizen Editorial Board
| Our View

Although the leaders of Iowa's Republican and Democratic parties don't agree on much, they both understand the importance of having Iowa keep its status as the first-in-the-nation caucus.

And Iowa's ability to continue playing that role depends on presidential hopefuls learning that the campaign skills and grassroots organization they need to win the Iowa caucuses will continue to help them compete in other states down the line.

Unfortunately, the same lessons can't be learned from the Republican Straw Poll that takes place the August before the caucuses. Rather than provide an early ...